DANUBE WALTZ – PASSAU TO BUDAPEST

4 Country Bike & Boat Tour Along The Danube Independent and Guided tours – 7 nights / 8 days The most famous bike route in Europe along the beautiful Danube, however this time we enjoy our travelling hotel, the MS MY STORY, as we start in Passau, Germany, cruise and cycle through the Austrian countryside […]

The most famous bike route in Europe along the beautiful Danube, however this time we enjoy our travelling hotel, the MS MY STORY, as we start in Passau, Germany, cruise and cycle through the Austrian countryside into Slovakia and Hungary, before returning to Germany.This journey takes you to the highlights along Europe´s second largest river.
The impressive spectacle of nature of the Schlögener Donauschlinge (Great Loop”), the fascinating landscape of the Wachau with its vineyards, castles and palaces, the untouched alluvial forests of the Danube National Park as well as the picturesque Hungarian Danube Bend, alternating with metropolises such as Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest.
Explore Budapest’s imperial and Art Nouveau delights, take a comprehensive tour of beautiful Bratislava’s baroque and Gothic buildings and fountains and discover why Vienna is “the waltz capital”. After a great day of cycling, relax on board listening live music or discover the port city.

Day to Day Schedule

Day 1

Vienna

Individual arrival in Vienna.

Day 2

Vienna – Bad Deutsch-Altenburg (approx. 46 km/28 miles)

On the Danube-Cycle-Path you bike through the idyllic meadows along the Danube, passing the castle of “Orth” to Petronell-Carnuntum (significant Roman excavations).

Day 3

Bad Deutsch-Altenburg – Mosonmagyárovár (approx. 61 km/38 miles)

Still following the Danube-Cycle-Path you will reach Bratislava. Shortly after, you reach Hungary where you bike through small typical villages using the dam cycle path (gravel) and country roads.
This section can be divided by an additional night in Bratislava (Day 3: 21 km/15 miles, Day 4: 42 km/25 miles)

Day 4

Mosonmagyárovár/Halaszi – Györ (approx. 45 km/28 miles)

You bike through the former marsh region of the “Little Alföld”. Taking side roads you pass through delightful villages and arrive at the provincial capital of Györ.

Day 5

Györ – Tata (approx. 61 km/38 miles)

Today you bike through a landscape of rolling hills and reach the picturesque town of Tata, situated on two lakes.

Day 6

Tata – Sturovo/Esztergom (approx. 55 km/34 miles)

Leaving Tata you travel over the densely wooded hills of the “Gerecse” range. Some uphill stretches are rewarded with wonderful descents. In Esztergom you can admire the imposing cathedral.

Day 7

Sturovo/Esztergom – Budapest (approx. 58 km/36 miles)
Steep mountain-slopes frame the picturesque landscape of the Danube Bend up to Szentendre island. Go by bike or boat to Budapest (not incl.). On the boat, the view from the sun deck is overwhelming.

Day 8

Budapest

Individual departure.

Tour Rating: easy to moderate

Mostly rather flat, but with a few stretches of small hills. Suitable for all levels. Expect some traffic on the roads in/out of the cities.
Austria: on the Danube Cycle Path.
Hungary: cycle paths, field paths and country roads.

Airport / Transfers

Fly into Vienna, and depart from Budapest.
Regular public shuttles and/or train service is available at both these major international airports.

Schedule & Price

Departure Dates 2014

Independent tours depart every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May through September. Only Saturday departures are available in April and early October.

Season 1: April 19 – May 01 + September 26 – October 04, 2014
Season 2: May 02 – June 29 + August 18 – September 25, 2014
Season 3: June 30 – August 17, 2014 *

Price per person – Season 1:

$800

Price per person – Season 2:

Price per person – Season 3:

$880

$920

Single Supplement

$275

Half-board supplement (6 dinners)

$170

Upgrade hotels to all 3 and 4 star

Upgrade to electric bike

$150

$120

This tour includes:

• 7 nights accommodation in a double room with private facilities. The hotels we use on this tour are family run guesthouses and hotels of good 2 and 3 star standard. In both Vienna and Budapest 4 star hotels are always used. All rooms have private bathrooms.
• breakfast daily.
• luggage transport from hotel to hotel.
• return bus ride from Budapest to Vienna (if required)
• modern hybrid bicycle with 21 gears & pannier
• 7 days service hotline
• Detailed travel material, maps, and route descriptions of places of interest

Note:

In Slovakia a helmet is required!
In Hungary you have to wear a safety vest at night and at times of poor visability outside of the cities.